CRISPR/Cas9-Targeted Mutagenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

The generation of genetic mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans has long relied on the selection of mutations in large-scale screens. Directed mutagenesis of specific loci in the genome would greatly speed up analysis of gene function. Here, we adapt the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate mutations at specific sites in the C. elegans genome.     

利用CRISPR/Cas9技术编辑水稻ROP基因OsRac5

OsRac5基因属于水稻小G蛋白ROP家族。该基因参与了水稻的育性调节,但是OsRac5在水稻生长发育中的作用尚不清楚。为鉴定该基因的功能,本文采用CRISPR/Cas9基因组编辑技术,构建了该基因的双靶标载体Cas9-OsRac5,并对水稻进行了遗传转化。对转基因水稻的筛选和分子鉴定显示,在T1代获得了10个纯合突变株系。序列分析显示,在OsRac5编辑水稻中,该基因编码区发生了碱基缺失或/和插入,导致预期产生的不同类型OsRac5截短蛋白均丧失小G蛋白的保守结构域。对抽穗期OsRac5编辑水稻的表型进行统计学分析,结果显示,OsRac5编辑水稻与对照在剑叶角度以及剑叶净光合速率上存在极显著差异,其中OsRac5编辑水稻剑叶角度增大67%,剑叶净光合速率减小32.7%。本研究结果提示,OsRac5基因通过调控剑叶角度,影响水稻光合效率,与水稻生长发育密切相关。     

Efficient and Heritable Gene Targeting in Tilapia by CRISPR/Cas9

Studies of gene function in non-model animals have been limited by the approaches available for eliminating gene function. The CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated) system has recently become a powerful tool for targeted genome editing. Here, we report the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to disrupt selected genes, including nanos2, nanos3, dmrt1, and foxl2, with efficiencies as high as 95%. In addition, mutations in dmrt1 and foxl2 induced by CRISPR/Cas9 were efficiently transmitted through the germline to F₁. Obvious phenotypes were observed in the G0 generation after mutation of germ cell or somatic cell-specific genes. For example, loss of Nanos2 and Nanos3 in XY and XX fish resulted in germ cell-deficient gonads as demonstrated by GFP labeling and Vasa staining, respectively, while masculinization of somatic cells in both XY and XX gonads was demonstrated by Dmrt1 and Cyp11b2 immunohistochemistry and by up-regulation of serum androgen levels. Our data demonstrate that targeted, heritable gene editing can be achieved in tilapia, providing a convenient and effective approach for generating loss-of-function mutants. Furthermore, our study shows the utility of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for genetic engineering in non-model species like tilapia and potentially in many other teleost species.     

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Knock-Down in Post-Mitotic Neurons

The prokaryotic adaptive immune system CRISPR/Cas9 has recently been adapted for genome editing in eukaryotic cells. This technique allows for sequence-specific induction of double-strand breaks in genomic DNA of individual cells, effectively resulting in knock-out of targeted genes. It thus promises to be an ideal candidate for application in neuroscience where constitutive genetic modifications are frequently either lethal or ineffective due to adaptive changes of the brain. Here we use CRISPR/Cas9 to knock-out Grin1, the gene encoding the obligatory NMDA receptor subunit protein GluN1, in a sparse population of mouse pyramidal neurons. Within this genetically mosaic tissue, manipulated cells lack synaptic current mediated by NMDA-type glutamate receptors consistent with complete knock-out of the targeted gene. Our results show the first proof-of-principle demonstration of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-down in neurons in vivo, where it can be a useful tool to study the function of specific proteins in neuronal circuits.     

CRISPR/Cas9:基因编辑的新时代

基因编辑技术是通过核酸内切酶对基因组DNA进行定向改造的技术,可以实现对特定DNA碱基的缺失、替换等,常用的四种基因编辑工具分别是:巨型核酸酶、锌指核酸酶、转录激活因子样效应物核酸酶以及CRISPR/Cas9系统.其中CRISPR/Cas9系统作为一种新型的基因组编辑技术具有组成简单、特异性好、切割效率高的优点.该文对...     

Efficient Gene Targeting in Golden Syrian Hamsters by the CRISPR/Cas9 System

The golden Syrian hamster is the model of choice or the only rodent model for studying many human diseases. However, the lack of gene targeting tools in hamsters severely limits their use in biomedical research. Here, we report the first successful application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to efficiently conduct gene targeting in hamsters. We designed five synthetic single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs)—three for targeting the coding sequences for different functional domains of the hamster STAT2 protein, one for KCNQ1, and one for PPP1R12C—and demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is highly efficient in introducing site-specific mutations in hamster somatic cells. We then developed unique pronuclear (PN) and cytoplasmic injection protocols in hamsters and produced STAT2 knockout (KO) hamsters by injecting the sgRNA/Cas9, either in the form of plasmid or mRNA, targeting exon 4 of hamster STAT2. Among the produced hamsters, 14.3% and 88.9% harbored germline-transmitted STAT2 mutations from plasmid and mRNA injection, respectively. Notably, 10.4% of the animals produced from mRNA injection were biallelically targeted. This is the first success in conducting site-specific gene targeting in hamsters and can serve as the foundation for developing other genetically engineered hamster models for human disease.     

Efficient Gene Knockout in Goats Using CRISPR/Cas9 System

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been adapted as an efficient genome editing tool in laboratory animals such as mice, rats, zebrafish and pigs. Here, we report that CRISPR/Cas9 mediated approach can efficiently induce monoallelic and biallelic gene knockout in goat primary fibroblasts. Four genes were disrupted simultaneously in goat fibroblasts by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. The single-gene knockout fibroblasts were successfully used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and resulted in live-born goats harboring biallelic mutations. The CRISPR/Cas9 system represents a highly effective and facile platform for targeted editing of large animal genomes, which can be broadly applied to both biomedical and agricultural applications.     

Creation of fragrant sorghum by CRISPR/Cas9

Sorghum, the fifth largest cereal crop, has high value as a staple food and raw material for liquor and vinegar brewing. Due to its high biomass and quality, it is also used as the second most planted silage resource. No fragrant sorghums are currently on the market. Through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of SbBADH2, we obtained sorghum lines with extraordinary aromatic smell in both seeds and leaves. Animal feeding experiments showed that fragrant sorghum leaves were attractable. We believe this advantage will produce great value in the sorghum market for both grain and whole biomass forage.     

利用CRISPR/Cas9系统构建Tiki1基因修饰猪模型

Tiki1基因是哈佛大学儿童医学院贺熹教授实验室发现的一个对蛙头部的诱导起到决定性作用的新基因,但Tiki1基因在小鼠等啮齿类动物中缺失,因此无法利用小鼠等小动物来研究其在哺乳动物中的作用.本文利用CRISPR/Cas9系统结合体细胞克隆技术构建Tiki1基因修饰猪模型,研究Tiki1基因在猪发育中的作用.我们利用贺熹教授团队提供的人Tiki1基因序列,在猪的基因组数据库中比对出与其同源性最高的一段序列设计2个靶位点(g1和g2).以设计的靶位点构建打靶质粒转染猪胎儿成纤维细胞,经细胞筛选、PCR扩增及测序共鉴定了52个单细胞克隆株.最终选择靶位点g1为纯合双敲的5个单细胞克隆株和靶位点g2为纯合双敲的3个单细胞克隆株作为构建Tiki1基因敲除猪的核供体.我们共计构建了720个重组胚胎,分别植入3头代孕母猪,其中有1头经B超检测成功怀孕并妊娠到期产下13头发育正常的克隆猪,经测序鉴定其中12头为Tiki1基因双敲除猪模型,Tiki1基因敲除克隆猪健康存活至今.结果表明Tiki1基因对于猪早期发育的作用机理不同于蛙,其在猪早期发育的过程中的具体作用机理有待后续进一步的深入研究.     

基于CRISPR/Cas9技术的基因敲入/敲除策略

成簇的规律间隔性短回文序列(CRISPR)基因编辑系统,因其设计简单操作方便和无种属限制,已成为一种广泛应用的基因组定点编辑工具,在复杂的基因组编辑,例如基因的人源化改造以及条件等位基因的构建中有所应用。在自然界中,CRISPR系统拥有多种类别。其中,CRISPR/Cas9系统是研究最深入、应用最成熟的一种。本文针对CRISPR/Cas9系统,分别从基因敲入/敲除片段的大小、同源臂长短、构型即递送方式等技术环节进行综述,阐述不同设计及操作条件下由CRISPR/Cas9系统介导的基因敲入/敲除的效率差异。     

限制性内切酶策略鉴定CRISPR/Cas9介导的Chrm3基因敲除小鼠

CRISPR/Cas9技术是近年发展起来的快速基因编辑技术。通过该技术已对多种生物的基因组进行了编辑。由此产生的基因编辑动物的建系与鉴定是随之而来较为繁琐的工作。单导向RNA(single-guide RNA, sgRNA)靶序列的设计和确定不仅影响后续靶向基因组的效率,还可作为优化鉴定、筛选方法的参考。本研究在选取sgRNA靶序列时,不仅依据软件的评分,还分析了sgRNA靶序列是否含有酶切位点,以便对后续纯合子/杂合子进行鉴定。结果显示,以特异引物扩增的野生型小鼠Chrm3基因片段可被限制性内切酶BanⅡ切为两个片段;而纯合子小鼠“丢失”该酶切位点,其PCR产物不能被切开;杂合子小鼠PCR产物被不完全切开,凝胶电泳结果可见三条带。本研究结果提示该策略可有效简化基因编辑动物建系鉴定工作,提高鉴定效率及改善阳性动物辨识效果。     

CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑在三维基因组研究中的应用

CRISPR/Cas9系统在基因编辑方面具有巨大优势,能够低成本、可编程、方便快捷地用于动物、植物以及微生物的基因组靶向编辑和功能改造。三维基因组学是近年来兴起的一门研究染色质高级结构动态调控及基因组生物学功能的交叉学科。在三维基因组研究中,通常采用对DNA片段进行基因编辑以模拟基因组结构性变异,标记特定DNA片段,进而研究调控元件对于基因调控、细胞分化、组织发生、器官形成、个体发育的影响,最终阐明三维基因组的组装调控机制和生物学功能。因此,CRISPR及其衍生技术为研究三维基因组提供了极好的遗传学工具。本文主要综述了CRISPR片段编辑及其衍生技术在三维基因组调控与功能研究中的应用,以期为后续研究工作提供理论参考以及新的研究思路。     

sgRNA Sequence Motifs Blocking Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing

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基于CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术的EGFP基因定点整合表达

目的:利用CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术,实现EGFP基因在CHO细胞ACTB基因座位置定点整合和表达,建立基于CRISPR/Cas9技术的外源基因定点整合和表达技术。方法:根据CHO细胞β-actin(ACTB)基因起始密码子区基因序列,设计相应CRISPR/Cas9系统,同时构建含有ACTB同源臂和EGFP基因的同源供体载体(donor vector),通过脂质体转染法同时转染CRISPR/Cas9和供体载体,流式分选EGFP阳性细胞,分析基因编辑技术在EGFP基因定点整合和表达方面的可行性。结果:构建了能有效切割CHO细胞ACTB基因的CRISPR/Cas9系统,筛选到EGFP定点整合至ACTB基因座并有效表达的细胞,ACTB基因缺失后由于γ-actin代偿性表达增强,ACTB缺失细胞形态和生长未受影响。结论:单纯依靠基因编辑技术可以实现1 kb以内的基因同源置换,但效率较低,如实现更大片段的外源基因置换,需借助其它实验技术。     

Generation of B Cell-Deficient Pigs by Highly Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Targeting

Generating B cell-deficient mutant is the first step to produce human antibody repertoires in large animal models. In this study, we applied the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated(Cas) system to target the JHregion of the pig Ig M heavy chain gene which is crucial for B cell development and differentiation. Transfection of Ig M-targeting Cas9 plasmid in primary porcine fetal fibroblasts(PFFs) enabled inducing gene knock out(KO) in up to 53.3% of colonies analyzed, a quarter of which harbored biallelic modification, which was much higher than that of the traditional homologous recombination(HR). With the aid of somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) technology, three piglets with the biallelic Ig M heavy chain gene mutation were produced. The piglets showed no antibody-producing B cells which indicated that the biallelic mutation of the Ig M heavy chain gene effectively knocked out the function of the Ig M and resulted in a B cell-deficient phenotype. Our study suggests that the CRISPR/Cas9 system combined with SCNT technology is an efficient genome-editing approach in pigs.     

利用CRISPR/Cas9鉴定玉米发育相关基因ZmCen*

目的: 利用CRISPR/Cas9(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9) 系统构建玉米中心蛋白(Centrin)的表达载体,经转化后分析其对玉米生长发育的影响。方法: 针对ZmCen基因的第一个外显子设计sgRNA,将其连入pOMS01-Cas9-ZmCen-sgRNA表达载体,转化农杆菌GV3101后,侵染玉米自交系材料B104的愈伤组织,经继代、诱导、分化成苗,筛选出转基因后代。对T₀代和T₁代基因组DNA进行PCR验证、测序及表型分析。结果: 成功构建ZmCen的表达载体。侵染农杆菌后,PCR测序显示,T₀ 代和T₁ 代突变率分别为 20.13% 和 64.52%,其中T₁ 代的纯合缺失突变率为5%。序列分析表明,ZmCen基因的编辑靶点附近发生了碱基的替换、插入或缺失。经与野生型表型比对发现,ZmCen 突变体T₁代植株出现发育缓慢且雄花序不完全发育表型,纯合突变体植株雄花序则完全不发育。结论: 通过 CRISPR/Cas9技术成功地对玉米ZmCen基因进行了编辑,ZmCen突变体的获得为玉米雄性器官发育相关基因的研究奠定了基础。